§ 74. Flying Officer Bowdenasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will permit Messrs. W. H. Smith and Sons, Leicester, to exceed their quota of toys to the local retailers in view of the stocks they hold and the proximity of Christmas.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithThe quota of toys and indoor games was increased on the 1st August, and registered manufacturers and wholesalers should have had ample time in which to plan their Christmas trade. In these circumstances, I do not feel able to allow individual wholesalers to exceed their quota.
§ Mr. LoganHas the attention of my hon. Friend been drawn to the exorbitant price that is being asked for these toys, and has he no power to regulate the price?
§ Mr. Ellis SmithI regret to say that is so, and we are hoping to profit by our present experience and prevent it in the future.